Kamal Ghorui
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has directed all FASTag issuer banks to immediately verify vehicle registration numbers (VRNs) linked to FASTag accounts, aiming to improve the accuracy and reliability of India’s electronic toll collection system.
Stricter FASTag verification: All you need to know
In an official statement, the highway authority said the move comes after multiple complaints where the registration number captured by FASTag scanners did not match the number displayed on the vehicle’s number plate. Such mismatches, NHAI noted, can weaken enforcement systems, lead to potential revenue leakage and may also attract penalties under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.The issue has been particularly observed in older FASTags issued before integration with the VAHAN database. During that period, verification processes were more manual and less robust, which could have resulted in inconsistencies in vehicle data.
NHAI stressed that accurate mapping of vehicle registration numbers with FASTags is crucial, especially with the rollout of upcoming technologies like Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling. Under this system, toll collection and enforcement, including the issuance of electronic notices to violators, will rely heavily on precise vehicle identification.As part of the directive, banks have been asked to carry out urgent verification of FASTags issued by them. Any FASTags found to be linked to incorrect or invalid registration numbers will be blacklisted in line with government guidelines.Stay tuned to TOI Auto for latest updates on the automotive sector and do follow us on our social media handles on Facebook, Instagram and X.
